Interlock for multi-product vending machines



Nov. 15, 1960 M. w. NEWBERR'Y 2,959,979

INTERLOCK FOP. MULTIPP-ODUCT VENDING MACHINES Filed March 24, 1959 SUPERVISORY couv MECHANISM J I INTERLOCKED INVENTOR MEIGS W. NEWBERRY aired; initiates INTERLOCK FOR MULTI-PRODUCT VENDING MACHINES Filed Mar. 24, 1959, Ser. No. 801,515

1 Claim. (Cl. 74-483) This invention relates to vending machines having a plurality of product dispensers, and more particularly to an interlock for such machines which permits the operation of but one product dispenser at a time.

Many vending machine in current use offer several products which are usually stacked in adjacent columns interiorly of the machine. After depositing the required coinage, the vendee makes his selection and also actuates the mechanism which dispenses the chosen product by manually moving one of several operating members. Before an operating member can be moved, however, a supervisory coin control system must first approve the genuineness and quantity of coinage, and then unlock all the operating members for one vending cycle. An interlock prevents the inadvertent or calculated movement of more than one operating member at a time.

This invention concerns the interlock and provides one whose cost, complexity and number of parts is greatly reduced over prior constructions without sacrificing effectiveness or dependability.

According to the present invention, the operating member associated with each product dispenser has an arm or element connected thereto and arranged to be moved when the operating member is moved to dispense a product. The arms are individually movable from an idle or ready position to a second or blocking position wherein a point common to all second positions of the arms is occupied; the first arm moved to such position blocks the movement of any other arm to second position, thus permitting the operation of but one dispenser at a time.

In the illustrated embodiment of the invention the arms extend in converging relationship, but in the ready position they terminate short of a point of convergence and, if moved, their movement is constrained by guide means toward a position in which the point of convergence is occupied. Obviously, only one arm at a time can occupy the point of convergence. Consequently, when one dispenser is operated, its associated arm is moved into a position where it blocks the other arms and prevents operation of the other dispensers. At the end of a dispensing cycle the blocking arm is withdrawn and a succeeding vending operation may be initiated by depositing coinage.

The various objects, features, and advantages of the invention will appear more fully from the following detailed description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, forming a part of this application, in which:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of an interlock, constructed in accordance with the invention and shown in association with vending machine components with which the interlock has its principal utility;

Fig. 2 is a front elevational view of the apparatus of Fig. 1, with parts positioned in readiness for a vending cycle; and

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2 wherein the parts are 2,959,979 Patented Nov. 15, 1960 shown as they are positioned following the vending of a product, but prior to returning to a ready position.

The mechanical interlock of this invention is applicable to machines for vending a plurality of products. For example, the machine may vend bottled soft drinks of several different flavors or, possibly, it may include differently sized bottled soft drinks of the same flavor. But in any case, several products are involved and each is dispensed by a product dispenser which may be manually or power operated after the required coinage has been inserted. It is the function of the interlock to permit only one product dispenser to be operated at a time.

Generally stated, the vending machine has a dispensing system which is operable under the supervision of a coin lock system and an interlock to dispense one product at a time. As a whole, these components of the vending machine are almost entirely enclosed within a suitable cabinet.

Dispensing system teriorly disposed handle 22, and their rotational axes lie in a common horizontal plane. To dispense a prodnet, the handles 22 are individually movable clockwise from the ready position shown in Fig. 2 to the position of the left-hand handle shown in Fig. 3, after which the ready position is reassumed. A handle 22 is movable for an appreciable portion of one revolution of its shaft 21 to dispense a product. A detailed showing and description of the dispenser mechanism 20 is omitted for the sake of brevity, since any suitable construction may be used in practicing the present invention.

Coin lock system The function of the coin lock system is to lock the dispenser shafts 21 against rotation until genuine coinage of a predetermined value has been inserted in the machine, and then to unlock all of the shafts. The coin lock system comprises a supervisory mechanism 25 including a rotatable stem 26 which has its axis lying in the same plane as the axes of the shafts 21. The supervisory mechanism 25 does not form a part of the present invention, and details thereof are omitted for the sake of brevity and clearness. The stem 26 is locked against rotation until proper coinage has been received and approved by the mechanism 25. Rigidly attached to the stem 26 is a lever 27 which is movable clockwise, as shown, against the bias of the mechanism 25 substantially to the same angular extent as the handles 22. After reaching an extreme clockwise position, the lever 27 is biased counterclockwise toward original, locked position by means of a suitable spring (not shown) within mechanism 25.

Motion is transmittable from any or all of the shafts 21 to the lever 27 by means of a parallel-linkage system comprising crank-like connecting members 29, one secured to each shaft 21, and a horizontal, slotted cross bar 31 which is pinned to the lever 27 and slidably connected to the connecting members 29. The slidable connection between the cross bar 31 and the connecting members 29 is made by providing each member 29 with a pin 33 that is slidably received in respective arcuate slots 34 in the cross bar 31. The arcuate configuration of the slots 34 is such as to permit the cross bar 31 to remain horizontal as it swings to the left with the lever 27 and the member 29 of one dispenser during a dispensing-operation, without positively engaging the. pins 33'orother mechanical parts of the other dispensers.

Interlock As. mentioned previously, all of the dispensers 16, 17, and 18, are operable forone vending cycle when they are unlocked by the coin lock system; but without an interlock there is nothing to prevent the simultaneous operation of all dispensers and the procurement of three products for the price of one. Obviously a coin lock system could be provided for each dispenser and .no interlock would be necessary; however, such an arrangement would be costly. Accordingly, it is thefunct'ion of the interlock to permit the operation of 'but one product dispenser at a time in vending machines having one coin lock system and a plurality of product dispensers.

The interlock comprises a crank 36 .for .each shaft 21 and three elongated arms 37, eachof which is pivotally connected to the outer end .of one of the cranks 36. When all of the dispensers 16, 17 and 18 are ready for operation, the arms 37' extend downwardly and toward a common point; or, stated another way, the arms 37 coextend in converging relationship and terminate short of apoint of convergence. A pair-of horizontally spaced lugs-38 areprovided as guide means to constrain the arms 37 to move lengthwise and in con-verging relationship. When one of the shafts 21 is rotated for an appreciable portion of one revolution by its handle 22, the arm 37 associated therewith moves toward and partly beyond the point of convergence. Since only one arm at a time can occupy the point of convergence, that arm is in blocking position with respect to the other arms; and it follows that the other'dispensers cannot be operated until the vending cycle has been completed, at which time the arm will have been withdrawn fromblocking'position and, returned to the ready position. If, for example, two or more handles 22 are turned simultaneously they will transmit motion to their associated arms 37 and the latter may collide and bind at the point of convergence, or one arm may reach the point of convergence in advance of the others and it will block the other arms from further movement. In either casefthe attempted operation of more than one dispenser at a time will be frustrated.

From the foregoing it will be apparent that a simplified interlock has been provided which not only functions effectively and dependably, but also is rugged and capable of economical manufacture.

While the invention has been shown in but one form, it 'will be obvious to those skilled in the art that it is not so limited, but is susceptible of various changes and modifications without departing from the spirit thereof.

What is claimed is:

A dispensing machine including a plurality of product dispensers having respective shafts which are each rotatable for an appreciable portion of one revolution to dispense a product, said shafts being transversely spaced from each. other relative their longitudinal axes, and an improved'linterlock which permits the operation of but one product dispenser at a time by permitting one shaft to be rotated at a time; said interlock comprising a crank on each shaft, an elongated arm for each crank pivotally connected thereto so as to be moved thereby when said shaft is rotated, said arms coextending in converging relationsh'ip to each other and terminating short of a point of convergence when all of said dispensers are ready for operation, and guide means constraining said arms to move lengthwise and partly beyond the point of convergence, one arm at a time being movable partly beyond the point of convergence during operation of one dispenser so that it blocks the path of movement of the other of saidarms and thereby prevents the operation of the other of said dispensers.

Harris Sept. 16, 1941 Hester Aug. 27, 1957 

